Snøhetta’s design comprises a brand new 1,500 m2 planetarium as well as scattered interstellar cabins, each shaped like a small planet. The new facilities will offer a range of scientific activities within astronomy, sun studies and natural science. Here, researchers, school children, retirees and international tourists can embark on a journey into the world of astronomy and learn more about natural phenomena, such as the Northern lights and the night sky.
The new visitor’s center is situated near the original solar observatory, a twelve-meter research tower built by the University of Oslo for the total solar eclipse of 1954. More than a decade later, in the late 50’s, Solobservatoriet expanded its facilities though a collaboration with the US Air Force with the introduction of a satellite tracking station that monitored Soviet satellites during the Cold War. From 1986, and until it was sold in 2008, Solobservatoriet served exclusively as a scientific research and information hub administrated by the University.
A new flagship institution in Montréal, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium follows on an international architecture competition won by architecture and design consortium Cardin Ramirez Julien + Ædifica. Their winning proposal stood out from those of some 60 candidates for the quality and imagination of its concept.
The atelier RTA-Office, managed by the architect Santiago Parramón, got an Honorable Mention for his project Block 39, Centre for the promotion of Science in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia. Jury reponse: the project of Santiago Parramón is “an excellent urban and architectural solution, with exceptional and innovative approach!”
Client: Ministry of Science and Technological development
Organizers: Association of Architects of Serbia and Association Architects of Belgrade
Site type: Urban
Site Area: 11,66 ha
Building Area: 20.915 m2
Total gross Building Area: 13.998 m2
Garage and Parking Area: 3.000 m2
Outdoor Area: 2.650 m2
Designed by: Jaime Parramón&Associats, RTA-Office
Design team: Santiago Parramón, Simona Assiero Brá, Mariana Rapela, Miguel Villachá, Luisa Garcia, Eduardo Vacotto
Award: Honorable Mention
Type: Cultural – Museum – Exhibition Center – Educational and Business Centre – Gallery – Science Club – Planetarium – Restaurant.
Annual number of visitors: 100.000 – 300.000. 500.000 in 5 year’s time.
Daily number of visitors: expectation: 200 visitors during a workday in September, 2000 during a weekend in May.
Construction Materials: in situ structures of reinforced concrete (high strength and long life. Reduce CO2 emissions by 60% during its production). Building’s skin (90%) is Black Steel Recycling ANR (it contains 80% recycled raw material, has zero carbon, thus reducing CO2 emissions). Over 30% of the rest of the building materials are recycled source, reducing the environmental impacts of industry, mining and processing of raw materials.